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RCMP logo shown in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
By The Canadian Press

Two hospitals declare Code Orange after data centre bus crash in Mackenzie, B.C.

Nov 4, 2026 | 12:58 PM

A multinational data centre company says a bus chartered by one of its contractors has been involved in a crash that resulted in multiple victims near Mackenzie, B.C., with two hospitals making Code Orange declarations.

A spokesperson for IREN said the crash happened Wednesday morning south of the remote northern B.C. community, where the firm has a 4.5-hectare data centre site.

“We are in close contact with the contractor, emergency responders and the RCMP as they work to establish what happened,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Northern Health Authority said the Mackenzie and District Hospital and the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George both declared a Code Orange, which is typically used to designate a mass casualty event.

But it could not provide further information about the crash.

“We do not have details to share at this time about the number of patients involved, or their conditions; our thoughts are with those who’ve been impacted,” the health authority said in a statement.

“We ask that Prince George area residents avoid the UHNBC emergency department for all but life-threatening emergency needs at this time.”

RCMP in Mackenzie said the crash happened on Highway 39 south of the community that’s about 180 kilometres north of Prince George and there are multiple victims, some seriously hurt.

IREN, which operates three data centres in B.C., said its “immediate concern” was for those on the bus and their families and the company is supporting the response.

The company also has data centres in the United States, with projects planned in Spain and Australia.

IREN says its data centres allow clients to train powerful AI models.

A statement from Mackenzie Secondary School said the crash did not involve any of its students but a school bus had been sent to the area to provide support.

Police said Highway 39 was closed to facilitate emergency responders on the scene, and multiple ambulances and an air ambulance had been deployed.

“We ask the public to avoid the area and allow emergency personnel the space they need to safely respond to this incident,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brett Urano said in a statement.

“Drivers should expect significant delays and are encouraged to check DriveBC before travelling.”

Traffic information agency DriveBC said a detour was available through the Causeway and Mill Road, and drivers should use caution.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2026.

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press